Atlantes

Atlantes refers to the inhabitants of the mythical island continent of Atlantis. According to the dialogues of Plato, particularly Timaeus and Critias, the Atlantes were a powerful and advanced civilization that existed approximately 9,000 years before Plato's time. They were described as a prosperous and technologically sophisticated society, with a vast empire that spanned across the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantes were said to be descendants of the sea god Poseidon and a mortal woman, Cleito, and their capital city was a marvel of engineering and architecture, featuring concentric rings of land and water connected by canals and bridges.

Plato's account details their eventual downfall, attributing it to the moral corruption and greed of the Atlantes. They are depicted as becoming hubristic and attempting to conquer Athens and other parts of the Mediterranean. In response to their aggression, the gods, or perhaps natural forces, unleashed catastrophic earthquakes and floods, causing Atlantis to sink beneath the waves in a single day and night. The story of the Atlantes has fascinated scholars, writers, and adventurers for centuries, leading to numerous theories about their historical existence, geographical location, and the interpretation of Plato's narrative. While widely considered a philosophical allegory by academics, the legend of Atlantis and its people continues to inspire exploration and imagination.